The World's Most Popular Airplane Goes All Glass

July 27, 2004
Wichita, KS - July 27, 2004 - Today, Cessna announced that the world's most popular and safest training airplane, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, will soon offer a factory-installed, all-glass cockpit. Beginning in early 2005, Cessna will debut the Garmin G1000 fully-integrated avionics system on 172 Skyhawks.

Cessna will initially focus on offering two versions of the Skyhawk G1000 avionics package: 172R Skyhawk GA and 172S Skyhawk SP with NAV III. The 172R Skyhawk GA is designed to address the operational requirements of the flight training market, as well as for those wanting the latest in glass cockpit technology and safety without the need for an autopilot or FIS XM/weather datalink. The 172S Skyhawk SP NAV III option incorporates nearly all of the same features as the NAV III G1000-equipped Skylanes and Stationairs, which were introduced with resounding success in late 2003.

"Avionics technology is changing at a rapid pace, and it is imperative that we begin teaching the next generation of pilots how to fly with glass cockpits," said Cessna's President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. "At Cessna, 2004 has literally become our year for glass-cockpits. We have already certified and begun delivering 182s equipped with G1000, and now we're providing the same technology to the paragon of single engine airplanes, the 172 Skyhawk. Millions of people have learned to fly in Cessnas, and as you can see with our announcement of the 172R Skyhawk GA we're more committed than ever to the training market."

The G1000 avionics system on the 172R Skyhawk GA and 172S Skyhawk SP with NAV III is very similar to the NAV III avionics suite offered on Cessna's NAV III 182T Skylanes, T182T Turbo Skylanes, 206H Stationairs, and T206H Turbo Stationairs.

"The G1000 is tailored to fit the needs of a wide range of owner-flown aircraft - from the exciting Citation Mustang to the celebrated Skyhawk," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's Director of Marketing. "One of the most compelling aspects of the G1000-equipped Skyhawk is that generations of pilots will use it as a recreational and flight-training platform and will learn to view their airborne environment through the flat-panel displays of the G1000 - the first truly integrated, all-glass cockpit for this class of aircraft."

Customers taking delivery of a G1000 equipped Skyhawk will have the advantage of the exclusive Cessna G1000 orientation program. The program meets the FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS), and is designed to assist customers in their transition from traditional aircraft panel gauges to the new all-glass, jet-like cockpit. Currently, this exclusive program is offered at Cessna's single engine aircraft manufacturing facility in Independence, Kansas. Later this year, Cessna will introduce a factory authorized instructor program that will enable this unique training to be available at select Cessna Pilot Centers and Cessna Sales Team Authorized Representative locations.

Cessna anticipates the first Skyhawk equipped with G1000 to deliver in early-2005. The introductory price for the 172R Skyhawk GA is $199,750, with the 172S Skyhawk SP with NAV III's price set at $229,750.

In October 2003, Cessna announced the Garmin G1000 integrated avionics suite as a 2004 factory-installed, NAV III option on all Skylanes, Turbo Skylanes, Stationairs, and Turbo Stationairs. Cessna delivered its first Garmin G1000 equipped Skylanes in June 2004.

Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.

Garmin International Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN) group of companies, which designs and manufactures navigation, communication and information devices -- most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin is a leader in the general aviation and consumer GPS markets and its products serve aviation, marine, outdoor recreation, automotive, wireless and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered trademark, and G1000 is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

For additional information or questions about the general aviation industry, contact the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) at 202-393-1500 or www.GAMA.aero.
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